Cyborg Upgrades You Can Get Today

Summary

This script delves into the fascinating world of cybernetic enhancements, exploring the steps to become a cyborg and real-life examples of such advancements. It covers bionic eyes that offer artificial vision, non-human senses like magnetic and color perception, and the potential of neuralink for telepathic communication. The narrative also touches on the challenges and innovations in bionic limbs, including Hugh Herr's work at MIT, synthetic skin, and the quest to achieve a sense of proprioception in prosthetics.

Takeaways

• 🤖 The concept of becoming a cyborg involves a combination of human and machine elements, starting with a human body and undergoing a transformation through accidents or deliberate enhancements.
• 👀 Bionic eyes, like the ones developed by William Dobelle, can provide a form of artificial vision by electrically stimulating the visual cortex, allowing users to perceive light and shapes.
• 🧲 Non-human senses, such as a magnetic sense, can be artificially introduced through implants that react to magnetic fields, offering potential benefits but also significant drawbacks.
• 🎨 Neil Harbisson, the world's first 'Pikman,' uses a cyborg antenna to convert colors into audible vibrations, overcoming his color blindness and even perceiving infrared and ultraviolet light.
• 📡 Cyborg senses like North Sense, Cento, and Seismic Sense involve implants that provide feedback based on direction, proximity to other users, or seismic activity, respectively.
• 🧠 Telepathic communication is an emerging field, with Neuralink's brain-computer interface allowing for direct brain-to-computer interactions, as demonstrated in their first human trial.
• 🦿 Bionic limbs, such as those developed for rock climber Hugh Herr, can surpass the capabilities of natural limbs with features like spiked feet, extendable legs, and narrow tips for enhanced climbing.
• 🔩 The integration of bionic limbs involves challenges such as interfacing with human skin, managing sweat, and providing a sense of proprioception to make the limbs feel like a natural part of the body.
• 🥁 Bionic limbs can also be specialized for specific activities, like Jason Bonds' bionic arm attachment that allows him to play complex drum rhythms with two drumsticks.
• 🔌 Jesse Sullivan, one of the first cyborgs, has a bionic arm controlled through nerve grafts and can interface with technology, such as plugging a USB into his finger.
• 🛠️ The development of synthetic skin and osseointegration are among the innovations aimed at improving the comfort, functionality, and integration of bionic limbs with the human body.

Q & A

What is the first step mentioned in the script for becoming a cyborg?

The first step mentioned in the script for becoming a cyborg is to have a buddy made of flesh and blood.

What was the outcome of William Dobelle's experiment with electrically stimulating the visual cortex?

William Dobelle's experiment resulted in the creation of a dot matrix of phosphenes, which allowed a blind patient to see the outline of shapes and even regain enough vision to drive a car.

What is the current state of bionic eye technology after Dobelle's death?

After Dobelle's death, his research was largely lost due to poor documentation. However, there have been many advances in bionic eye technology since then, with devices like the Argus II now allowing users to read large text.

What is the concept of a magnetic sense implant and how does it work?

A magnetic sense implant is a modification where a tiny magnet is inserted into a person's finger. It wiggles when near a magnetic field, potentially allowing the person to sense the shape and intensity of magnetic fields and distinguish between AC and DC voltages.

What are the potential issues with having a magnetic sense implant?

Potential issues with a magnetic sense implant include complications with MRI scans due to the strong magnets used, the possibility of the implant being ripped out of the skin, and problems with airport security due to the magnet's presence.

Who is Neil Harbisson and what is his unique ability?

Neil Harbisson is the world's first 'Pikmin', a person with a cyborg antenna implanted into his skull. This antenna allows him to hear colors through audible vibrations based on what a camera is seeing, including the ability to perceive infrared and ultraviolet light.

What is the concept of 'telepathic communication' as mentioned in the script?

Telepathic communication, as mentioned in the script, refers to the ability to read information from one brain and write it to other brains or computers. Companies like Neuralink are working on brain-computer interfaces that could potentially enable this form of communication.

What are some of the challenges faced in developing bionic limbs?

Some challenges in developing bionic limbs include interfacing with human skin, which is difficult due to its hairiness, oiliness, and tendency to chafe and cut easily. Additionally, there is the issue of sweat not evaporating under prosthetics, and the lack of proprioception, which is the body's spatial awareness.

What is Hugh Herr's contribution to the field of bionic limbs?

Hugh Herr, the Director of Biomechatronics at MIT, has designed special brain-controlled bionic legs with microprocessors that constantly adjust the stiffness of his joints to mimic natural human walking. He is also working on developing synthetic skin to address the challenges of interfacing with human skin.

What is the concept of osseointegration and how does it relate to bionic limbs?

Osseointegration is a method of attaching prosthetics by implanting titanium directly into the bone, allowing for the swapping out of different attachments as needed. This method provides a more secure and potentially more comfortable interface for bionic limbs.

Can you provide an example of a person who has benefited from bionic limbs technology?

One example is Jesse Sullivan, one of the world's first cyborgs, who had a bionic arm that could be controlled through nerve grafts in his chest. He was able to stick a USB in his finger, demonstrating the advanced capabilities of modern bionic limbs.